Calico Cupid: Quinn Valley Ranch, #4

By Kay P. Dawson

If your Cupid is a cat, can you believe in love at first purr?

Caroline MacGregor is ready for a new start...so she heads to Quinn Valley with just a few belongings, and her loyal cat, Bentley, for company. She wants to put the past behind her and find herself again.

Travis Quinn can't figure out why a random cat starts showing up at his house, and even his office. Every time the calico shows up, he makes himself at home for a few hours then leaves. Travis is sure he's going to have to call the pound if it continues...until he discovers the cat belongs to the beautiful new accountant working at his parent's office.

Bentley hates all men - except Travis. And for some reason, he is determined to bring Caroline and Travis together.

Could it be possible for a cat to know exactly what, or who, his owner needs to heal from the past? Or, is it just a crazy coincidence Bentley has decided Travis is someone they need in their lives?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kay P. Dawson
• Release date: Apr 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224706594

Book preview

Chapter One

W e’re excited to welcome you to the Quinn’s Accounting family. Our office is small compared to city standards, but we have more work than we can handle, so having another set of hands will make things so much easier on us.

Caroline MacGregor smiled at the kind woman who was showing her around the office building where she’d now be working in Quinn Valley. Irene Quinn owned the accounting firm with her husband Harold, and over the past few weeks they’d spoken on the phone and through email, Caroline already felt completely at ease with the couple.

Well, I’m excited to finally be here. I’m grateful for the chance you took in hiring me without meeting me in person first. I was hoping to have a bit of an adventure away from where I grew up in Florida, and this was the perfect opportunity for me.

Harold put his arm casually over his wife’s shoulders and smiled down at her. Caroline could feel the genuine love emanating from the couple and she felt a sudden twinge of pain in her chest. She’d always hoped she might have that someday but had doubts it was attainable for most people.

We aren’t getting any younger. Someday, we’d like to maybe travel or enjoy our retirement. However, even with five children, we always thought at least one would come to work here, but we were beginning to think there’d never be anyone interested in working the business with us. Our kids all chose careers as far away from accounting as they could possibly get. He shook his head sadly, but the grin on his face gave away his true feelings. They’re such disappointments.

Irene slapped him gently on the chest and rolled her eyes in Caroline’s direction. Don’t listen to him. He’s just sore because all our children seem to find themselves in the medical profession in some way or another. But we’re proud of every single one of them, even if they hate everything about accounting.

You have five children? Caroline came from a small family, with just one older brother. Her mom passed away when she was just a young girl, so most of her life had been spent in the company of men. She’d always imagined how nice it would be to have a sister or more siblings.

Three girls and two boys. And they all still live in Quinn Valley. Irene was beaming with pride as she spoke about her children. My oldest, they’re twins, are both engaged to be married and actually just called me this morning to let me know they’re doing a double ceremony in a couple of weeks. That will have three of my kids married, and only two more to go.

This time it was Harold who rolled his eyes. And if my mother has anything to do with it, the rest will be married before the year is over.

Caroline smiled as she imagined the large family who were obviously quite close.

Hey, Mom. I was just on my way over to the taco truck to grab some lunch. Want me to pick you guys up something?

Caroline whipped around at the voice that came from the open doorway. A tall man with a large dimple on his cheek stood smiling at her as Irene walked over to him.

Oh, Travis. I didn’t even realize it was close to lunchtime already. She turned to Caroline. This is my youngest son, Travis. He has an office just up the street, so sometimes treats us to lunch. Travis, this is Caroline MacGregor, the new accountant I told you would be starting here this week.

Travis stepped into the office with his hand out to her. Nice to meet you. I’m glad my parents have found someone to help them with the workload.

Well, if just one of my children had taken an interest in the family business, things wouldn’t have been so busy for us. Irene gently slapped Travis on the arm but had a wide smile on her face, showing she wasn’t serious.

Travis rolled his eyes and shook his head.

Not me. Numbers are way too boring for me. Besides, you know math wasn’t my strong subject in school. I would have made more work for you both by having to fix all my mistakes.

Irene nodded her head. That’s likely true. She turned to face Caroline again. Travis is a physiotherapist in Quinn Valley. If there’s anything you need fixed, he’s the man to do it. I’m not just being a proud mother when I say he’s one of the best in the business.

Travis raised an eyebrow, his grin emphasizing his dimple even more. For a woman who has spent the past few years moaning about the fact none of us took up accounting as a trade, I take that as very high praise. But I’m sure there’s perhaps just a bit of mother’s bias in your statement. He faced Caroline and smiled. Did you just move to Quinn Valley?

Her eyes were locked on his and she was having a hard time remembering what he’d even asked her. Something about the way he looked at her just made her feel completely relaxed while also being thoroughly tongue-tied. She felt like a teenage girl standing in front of the boy she’d had a crush on for months and he’d finally said hello to her.

Um, yes. I just arrived a couple of days ago. I lived in Florida.

He gave a whistle. Quinn Valley is a long way from Florida. What possessed you to come all this way here?

She swallowed as the memories slammed into her. She wasn’t about to give him the full details of why she’d come this far. I just wanted something different. So, when I saw the ad for this job online, I decided to apply.

Travis laughed. Well, Idaho is definitely something different than Florida, I’m sure. Once winter hits, you might be wishing you’d never left the warmth and sun behind.

Caroline laughed and shrugged. I’m actually looking forward to snow and cold. I grew up in Florida, so I’ve never really had the chance to enjoy it.

After the first snowfall, you might be changing your mind on that.

Oh, Travis. Stop it or you’ll have her racing back to Florida before she even starts the job. Irene shook her head in Caroline’s direction. Don’t listen to him. Winters aren’t that bad here at all.

His dimple drew her eyes once more. If she wasn’t careful, she could see herself really falling hard for a guy like him.

But she was never going to let that happen. After Lawrence, she was sure she would never date again.

Chapter Two

S he seems nice. Have mom and dad said much to you about her? Travis glanced up from his stove to look across the island at his sister Vicki. He was trying out a new recipe, and since she hated to cook, most nights she would eat here. It made sense since they were both still single and it was easier to make food for two than one.

Not much. Just that she’d applied online and moved here from Florida. But you already know all of that. So, why all the questions?

He ignored his sister and continued to stir the meat in the pan. I’m just curious. She’s going to be working with our parents, so we need to be sure she’s trustworthy.

Vicki had been munching on the nachos he’d set out and started to choke. After a quick sip of water, she was able to speak again. You’re afraid she isn’t trustworthy? They’ve had employees before and I don’t ever remember you asking anything about them. She laughed and shook her head quickly, the bun on top of her head almost falling from its pins. You have a crush on her!

"I do not. I’m a grown man. Men don’t get crushes. I’m just curious about her, that’s all." He wouldn’t ever admit he might have a slight crush on the beautiful woman he’d met yesterday.

As soon as he’d walked into his parent’s office and seen her standing there, he’d been unable to think straight. Not only was she stunning, but she had a great laugh, and was obviously smart. What more could a man hope for in a woman?

But he’d also sensed a sadness around her and he hadn’t wanted to do anything that would scare her off. He’d almost asked her if she would like him to show her around town a bit, but he got the impression she might already have someone in her life, and he wasn’t sure how to come out and ask without looking like a fool.

And apparently Vicki wasn’t going to give him any more information either.

Why don’t you ask her to the upcoming weddings? I’m sure no one would be upset if you brought a date, especially Grams. Vicki chuckled to herself as she dipped another nacho into the salsa.

I’m not asking anyone to any wedding. Besides, it’s hard enough being a groomsman for one wedding, never mind two at the same time. I’m going to be too busy doing my duties to worry about entertaining a date.

Vicki laughed and nodded. I have to agree with you on that.

Since their oldest siblings, twins Brooke and Joel, were each getting married in a double ceremony in just a couple of weeks, they’d decided to go with a mutual wedding party consisting of immediate family only. Vicki and their sister Robyn would be standing up with the brides, along with Joel’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, Claire. Travis and Robyn’s husband, Ben, were standing up with the grooms. And, of course Joel was insisting his dog Stanley should be by his side too, so Travis knew he’d be in charge of keeping the big bundle of fur under control during the ceremony.

Thankfully the couples were keeping everything fairly small and not too extravagant, so things hadn’t really gotten too out of control